\"Iwonderifmotherwillaskmewhatitmeans？\"thoughtPearl。
Justthen，sheheardhermother’svoice，andflittingalongaslightlyasoneofthelittlesea—birds，appearedbeforeHesterPrynne，dancing，laughing，andpointingherfingertotheornamentuponherbosom。
\"MylittlePearl，\"saidHester，afteramoment’ssilence，\"thegreenletter，andonthychildishbosom，hasnopurport。Butdostthouknow，mychild，whatthislettermeanswhichthymotherisdoomedtowear？\"
\"Yes，mother，\"saidthechild。\"ItisthegreatletterA。Thouhasttaughtmeinthehorn—book。\"
Hesterlookedsteadilyintoherlittleface；but，thoughtherewasthatsingularexpressionwhichshehadsooftenremarkedinherblackeyes，shecouldnotsatisfyherselfwhetherPearlreallyattachedanymeaningtothesymbol。Shefeltamorbiddesiretoascertainthepoint。
\"Dostthouknow，child，whereforethymotherwearsthisletter？\"
\"TrulydoI！\"answeredPearl，lookingbrightlyintohermother’sface。\"Itisforthesamereasonthattheministerkeepshishandoverhisheart！\"
\"Andwhatreasonisthat？\"askedHester，halfsmilingattheabsurdincongruityofthechild’sobservation；but，onsecondthoughts，turningpale。\"Whathasthelettertodowithanyheart，savemine？\"
\"Nay，mother，IhavetoldallIknow，\"saidPearl，moreseriouslythanshewaswonttospeak。\"Askyonderoldmanwhomthouhastbeentalkingwith！Itmaybehecantell。Butingoodearnestnow，motherdear，whatdoesthisscarletlettermean？—andwhydostthouwearitonthybosom？—andwhydoestheministerkeephishandoverhisheart？\"
Shetookhermother’shandinbothherown，andgazedintohereyeswithanearnestnessthatwasseldomseeninherwildandcapriciouscharacter。ThethoughtoccurredtoHester，thatthechildmightreallybeseekingtoapproachherwithchildlikeconfidence，anddoingwhatshecould，andasintelligentlyassheknewhow，toestablishameeting—pointofsympathy。ItshowedPearlinanunwontedaspect。Heretofore，themother，whilelovingherchildwiththeintensityofasoulaffection，hadschooledherselftohopeforlittleotherreturnthanthewaywardnessofanAprilbreeze；whichspendsitstimeinairysport，andhasitsgustsofinexplicablepassion，andispetulantinitsbestofmoods，andchillsoftenerthancaressesyou，whenyoutakeittoyourbosom；inrequitalofwhichmisdemeanours，itwillsometimes，ofitsownvaguepurpose，kissyourcheekwithakindofdoubtfultenderness，andplaygentlywithyourhair，andthenbegoneaboutitsotheridlebusiness，leavingadreamypleasureatyourheart。Andthis，moreover，wasamother’sestimateofthechild’sdisposition。Anyotherobservermighthaveseenfewbutunamiabletraits，andhavegiventhemafardarkercolouring。ButnowtheideacamestronglyintoHester’smind，thatPearl，withherremarkableprecocityandacuteness，mightalreadyhaveapproachedtheagewhenshecouldbemadeafriend，andentrustedwithasmuchofhermother’ssorrowsascouldbeimparted，withoutirreverenceeithertotheparentorthechild。InthelittlechaosofPearl’scharacter，theremightbeseenemerging—andcouldhavebeen，fromtheveryfirst—thesteadfastprinciplesofanunflinchingcourage—anuncontrollablewill—asturdypride，whichmightbedisciplinedintoself—respect—andabitterscornofmanythings，which，whenexamined，mightbefoundtohavethetaintoffalsehoodinthem。Shepossessedaffections，too，thoughhithertoacridanddisagreeable，asaretherichestflavoursofunripefruit。
Withallthesesterlingattributes，thoughtHester，theevilwhichsheinheritedfromhermothermustbegreatindeed，ifanoblewomandonotgrowoutofthiselfishchild。
Pearl’sinevitabletendencytohoverabouttheenigmaofthescarletletterseemedaninnatequalityofherbeing。Fromtheearliestepochofherconsciouslife，shehadentereduponthisasherappointedmission。HesterhadoftenfanciedthatProvidencehadadesignofjusticeandretribution，inendowingthechildwiththismarkedpropensity；butnever，untilnow，hadshebethoughtherselftoask，whether，linkedwiththatdesign，theremightnotlikewisebeapurposeofmercyandbeneficence。IflittlePearlwereentertainedwithfaithandtrust，asaspiritmessengernolessthananearthlychild，mightitnotbehererrandtosootheawaythesorrowthatlaycoldinhermother’sheart，andconverteditintoatomb？—
andtohelphertoovercomethepassion，oncesowild，andevenyetneitherdeadnorasleep，butonlyimprisonedwithinthesametomb—likeheart？
SuchweresomeofthethoughtsthatnowstirredinHester’smind，withasmuchvivacityofimpressionasiftheyhadactuallybeenwhisperedintoherear。AndtherewaslittlePearl，allthiswhile，holdinghermother’shandinbothherown，andturningherfaceupward，whilesheputthesesearchingquestions，once，andagain，andstillathirdtime。
\"Whatdoesthelettermean，mother？—andwhydostthouwearit？—andwhydoestheministerkeephishandoverhisheart？\"
\"WhatshallIsay？\"thoughtHestertoherself。\"No！Ifthisbethepriceofthechild’ssympathy，Icannotpayit。\"
Thenshespokealoud。
\"SillyPearl，\"saidshe，\"whatquestionsarethese？Therearemanythingsinthisworldthatachildmustnotaskabout。WhatknowIoftheminister’sheart？Andasforthescarletletter，Iwearitforthesakeofitsgoldthread。\"
Inallthesevenbygoneyears，HesterPrynnehadneverbeforebeenfalsetothesymbolonherbosom。Itmaybethatitwasthetalismanofasternandsevere，butyetaguardianspirit，whonowforsookher；
asrecognisingthat，inspiteofhisstrictwatchoverherheart，somenewevilhadcreptintoit，orsomeoldonehadneverbeenexpelled。
AsforlittlePearl，theearnestnesssoonpassedoutofherface。
Butthechilddidnotseefittoletthematterdrop。Twoorthreetimes，ashermotherandshewenthomeward，andasoftenatsuppertime，andwhileHesterwasputtinghertobed，andonceaftersheseemedtobefairlyasleep，Pearllookedup，withmischiefgleaminginherblackeyes。
\"Mother，\"saidshe，\"whatdoesthescarletlettermean？\"
Andthenextmorning，thefirstindicationthechildgaveofbeingawakewasbypoppingupherheadfromthepillow，andmakingthatotherinquiry，whichshehadsounaccountablyconnectedwithherinvestigationsaboutthescarletletter—
\"Mother！—mother！—whydoestheministerkeephishandoverhisheart？\"
\"Holdthytongue，naughtychild！\"answeredhermother，withanasperitythatshehadneverpermittedtoherselfbefore。\"Donotteaseme；elseIshallshuttheeintothedarkcloset！\"
XVI。
AFORESTWALK。
HESTERPRYNNEremainedconstantinherresolvetomakeknowntoMr。Dimmesdale，atwhateverriskofpresentpainorulteriorconsequences，thetruecharacterofthemanwhohadcreptintohisintimacy。Forseveraldays，however，shevainlysoughtanopportunityofaddressinghiminsomeofthemeditativewalkswhichsheknewhimtobeinthehabitoftaking，alongtheshoresofthepeninsula，oronthewoodedhillsoftheneighbouringcountry。Therewouldhavebeennoscandal，indeed，norperiltotheholywhitenessoftheclergyman’sgoodfame，hadshevisitedhiminhisownstudy；wheremanyapenitent，erenow，hadconfessedsinsofperhapsasdeepadyeastheonebetokenedbythescarletletter。But，partlythatshedreadedthesecretorundisguisedinterferenceofoldRogerChillingworth，andpartlythatherconsciousheartimputedsuspicionwherenonecouldhavebeenfelt，andpartlythatboththeministerandshewouldneedthewholewideworldtobreathein，whiletheytalkedtogether—forallthesereasons，Hesterneverthoughofmeetinghiminanynarrowerprivacythanbeneaththeopensky。
Atlast，whileattendinginasick—chamber，whithertheReverendMr。
Dimmesdalehadbeensummonedtomakeaprayer，shelearntthathehadgone，thedaybefore，tovisittheApostleEliot，amonghisIndianconverts。Hewouldprobablyreturn，byacertainhour，intheafternoonofthemorrow。Betimes，therefore，thenextday，HestertooklittlePearl—whowasnecessarilythecompanionofallhermother’sexpeditions，howeverinconvenientherpresence—andsetforth。
Theroad，afterthetwowayfarershadcrossedfromthepeninsulatothemainland，wasnootherthanafootpath。Itstraggledonwardintothemysteryoftheprimevalforest。Thishemmeditinsonarrowly，andstoodsoblackanddenseoneitherside，anddisclosedsuchimperfectglimpsesoftheskyabove，that，toHester’smind，itimagednotamissthemoralwildernessinwhichshehadsolongbeenwandering。Thedaywaschillandsombre。Overheadwasagreyexpanseofcloud，slightlystirred，however，byabreeze；sothatagleamofflickeringsunshinemightnowandthenbeseenatitssolitaryplayalongthepath。Thisflittingcheerfulnesswasalwaysatthefartherextremityofsomelongvistathroughtheforest。Thesportivesunlight—feeblysportive，atbest，inthepredominantpensivenessofthedayandscene—withdrewitselfastheycamenigh，andleftthespotswhereithaddancedthedrearier，becausetheyhadhopedtofindthembright。
\"Mother，\"saidlittlePearl，\"thesunshinedoesnotloveyou。Itrunsawayandhidesitself，becauseitisafraidofsomethingonyourbosom。Now，see！Thereitis，playing，agoodwayoff。Standyouhere，andletmerunandcatchit。Iambutachild。Itwillnotfleefromme；forIwearnothingonmybosomyet！\"
\"Noreverwill，mychild，Ihope，\"saidHester。
\"Andwhynot，mother？\"askedPearl，stoppingshortjustatthebeginningofherrace。\"Willnotitcomeofitsownaccord，whenI
amawomangrown？\"
\"Runaway，child，\"answeredhermother，\"andcatchthesunshine！
Itwillsoonbegone。\"
Pearlsetforth，atagreatpace，and，asHestersmiledtoperceive，didactuallycatchthesunshine，andstoodlaughinginthemidstofit，allbrightenedbyitssplendour，andscintillatingwiththevivacityexcitedbyrapidmotion。Thelightlingeredaboutthelonelychild，asifgladofsuchaplaymate，untilhermotherhaddrawnalmostnighenoughtostepintothemagiccircletoo。
\"Itwillgonow，\"saidPearl，shakingherhead。
\"See！\"answeredHester，smiling。\"NowIcanstretchoutmyhand，andgraspsomeofit。\"
Assheattemptedtodoso，thesunshinevanished；or，tojudgefromthebrightexpressionthatwasdancingonPearl’sfeatures，hermothercouldhavefanciedthatthechildhadabsorbeditintoherself，andwouldgiveitforthagain，withagleamaboutherpath，astheyshouldplungeintosomegloomiershade。TherewasnootherattributethatsomuchimpressedherwithasenseofnewanduntransmittedvigourinPearl’snature，asthisnever—failingvivacityofspirits；
shehadnotthediseaseofsadness，whichalmostallchildren，intheselatterdays，inherit，withthescrofula，fromthetroublesoftheirancestors。Perhapsthistoowasadisease，andbutthereflexofthewildenergywithwhichHesterhadfoughtagainsthersorrows，beforePearl’sbirth。Itwascertainlyadoubtfulcharm，impartingahard，metalliclustretothechild’scharacter。Shewanted—whatsomepeoplewantthroughoutlife—agriefthatshoulddeeplytouchher，andthushumaniseandmakehercapableofsympathy。ButtherewastimeenoughyetforlittlePearl。
\"Come，mychild！\"saidHester，lookingaboutherfromthespotwherePearlhadstoodstillinthesunshine。\"Wewillsitdownalittlewaywithinthewood，andrestourselves。\"
\"Iamnotaweary，mother，\"repliedthelittlegirl。\"Butyoumaysitdown，ifyouwilltellmeastorymeanwhile。\"
\"Astory，child！\"saidHester。\"Andaboutwhat？\"
\"Oh，astoryabouttheBlackMan，\"answeredPearl，takingholdofhermother’sgown，andlookingup，halfearnestly，halfmischievously，intoherface。\"Howhehauntsthisforest，andcarriesabookwithhim—abig，heavybook，withironclasps；andhowthisuglyBlackManoffershisbookandanironpentoeverybodythatmeetshimhereamongthetrees；andtheyaretowritetheirnameswiththeirownblood。Andthenhesetshismarkontheirbosoms！DidstthouevermeettheBlackMan，mother？\"
\"Andwhotoldyouthisstory，Pearl？\"askedhermother，recognisingacommonsuperstitionoftheperiod。
\"Itwastheolddameinthechimney—corner，atthehousewhereyouwatchedlastnight，\"saidthechild。\"Butshefanciedmeasleepwhileshewastalkingofit。Shesaidthatathousandandathousandpeoplehadmethimhere，andhadwritteninhisbook，andhavehismarkonthem。Andthatugly—temperedlady，oldMistressHibbins，wasone。And，mother，theolddamesaidthatthisscarletletterwastheBlackMan’smarkonthee，andthatitglowslikearedflamewhenthoumeetesthimatmidnight，hereinthedarkwood。Isittrue，mother？
Anddostthougotomeethiminthenight—time？\"
\"Didstthoueverawake，andfindthymothergone？\"askedHester。
\"NotthatIremember，\"saidthechild。\"Ifthoufearesttoleavemeinourcottage，thoumightesttakemealongwiththee。Iwouldverygladlygo！But，mother，tellmenow！IstheresuchaBlackMan？Anddidstthouevermeethim？Andisthishismark？\"
\"WiltthouletmebeatpeaceifIoncetellthee？\"askedhermother。
\"Yes，ifthoutellestmeall，\"answeredPearl。
\"OnceinmylifeImettheBlackMan！\"saidhermother。\"Thisscarletletterishismark！\"
Thusconversing，theyenteredsufficientlydeepintothewoodtosecurethemselvesfromtheobservationofanycasualpassengeralongtheforesttrack。Heretheysatdownonaluxuriantheapofmoss；
which，atsomeepochoftheprecedingcentury，hadbeenagiganticpine，withitsrootsandtrunkinthedarksomeshade，anditsheadaloftintheupperatmosphere。Itwasalittledellwheretheyhadseatedthemselves，withaleaf—strewnbankrisinggentlyoneitherside，andabrookflowingthroughthemidst，overabedoffallenanddrownedleaves。Thetreesimpendingoverithadflungdowngreatbranches，fromtimetotime，whichchokedupthecurrent，andcompelledittoformeddiesandblackdepthsatsomepoints；while，initsswifterandlivelierpassages，thereappearedachannel—wayofpebbles，andbrown，sparklingsand。Lettingtheeyesfollowalongthecourseofthestream，theycouldcatchthereflectedlightfromitswater，atsomeshortdistancewithintheforest，butsoonlostalltracesofitamidthebewildermentoftree—trunksandunderbrush，andhereandthereahugerockcoveredoverwithgreylichens。Allthesegianttreesandbouldersofgraniteseemedintentonmakingamysteryofthecourseofthissmallbrook；fearing，perhaps，that，withitsnever—ceasingloquacity，itshouldwhispertalesoutoftheheartoftheoldforestwhenceitflowed，ormirroritsrevelationsonthesmoothsurfaceofapool。Continually，indeed，asitstoleonward，thestreamletkeptupababble，kind，quiet，soothing，butmelancholy，likethevoiceofayoungchildthatwasspendingitsinfancywithoutplayfulness，andknewnothowtobemerryamongsadacquaintanceandeventsofsombrehue。
\"Obrook！Ofoolishandtiresomelittlebrook！\"criedPearl，afterlisteningawhiletoitstalk。\"Whyartthousosad？Pluckupaspirit，anddonotbeallthetimesighingandmurmuring！\"
Butthebrook，inthecourseofitslittlelifetimeamongtheforest—trees，hadgonethroughsosolemnanexperiencethatitcouldnothelptalkingaboutit，andseemedtohavenothingelsetosay。
Pearlresembledthebrookinasmuchasthecurrentofherlifegushedfromawell—springasmysterious，andhadflowedthroughscenesshadowedasheavilywithgloom。But，unlikethelittlestream，shedancedandsparkled，andprattledairilyalonghercourse。
\"Whatdoesthissadlittlebrooksay，mother？\"inquiredshe。
\"Ifthouhadstasorrowofthineown，thebrookmighttelltheeofit，\"answeredhermother，\"evenasitistellingmeofmine！Butnow，Pearl，Ihearafootstepalongthepath，andthenoiseofoneputtingasidethebranches。Iwouldhavetheebetakethyselftoplay，andleavemetospeakwithhimthatcomesyonder。\"
\"IsittheBlackMan？\"askedPearl。
\"Wiltthougoandplay，child？\"repeatedhermother。\"Butdonotstrayfarintothewood。Andtakeheedthatthoucomeatmyfirstcall。\"
\"Yes，mother，\"answeredPearl。\"ButifitbetheBlackMan，wiltthounotletmestayamoment，andlookathim，withhisbigbookunderhisarm？\"
\"Go，sillychild！\"saidhermotherimpatiently。\"ItisnoBlackMan！
Thoucanstseehimnow，throughthetrees。Itistheminister！\"
\"Andsoitis！\"saidthechild。\"And，mother，hehashishandoverhisheart！Isitbecause，whentheministerwrotehisnameinthebook，theBlackMansethismarkinthatplace？Butwhydoeshenotwearitoutsidehisbosom，asthoudost，mother？\"
\"Gonow，child，andthoushaltteasemeasthouwiltanothertime，\"criedHesterPrynne。\"Butdonotstrayfar。Keepwherethoucansthearthebabbleofthebrook。\"
Thechildwentsingingaway，followingupthecurrentofthebrook，andstrivingtomingleamorelightsomecadencewithitsmelancholyvoice。Butthelittlestreamwouldnotbecomforted，andstillkepttellingitsunintelligiblesecretofsomeverymournfulmysterythathadhappened—ormakingapropheticlamentationaboutsomethingthatwasyettohappen—withinthevergeofthedismalforest。SoPearl，whohadenoughofshadowinherownlittlelife，chosetobreakoffallacquaintancewiththisrepiningbrook。Shesetherself，therefore，togatheringvioletsandwood—anemones，andsomescarletcolumbinesthatshefoundgrowinginthecrevicesofahighrock。
Whenherelf—childhaddeparted，HesterPrynnemadeasteportwotowardsthetrackthatledthroughtheforest，butstillremainedunderthedeepshadowofthetrees。Shebeheldtheministeradvancingalongthepath，entirelyalone，andleaningonastaffwhichhehadcutbythewayside。Helookedhaggardandfeeble，andbetrayedanervelessdespondencyinhisair，whichhadneversoremarkablycharacterisedhiminhiswalksaboutthesettlement，norinanyothersituationwherehedeemedhimselfliabletonotice。Hereitwaswoefullyvisible，inthisintenseseclusionoftheforest，whichofitselfwouldhavebeenaheavytrialtothespirits。Therewasalistlessnessinhisgait；asifhesawnoreasonfortakingonestepfarther，norfeltanydesiretodoso，butwouldhavebeenglad，couldhebegladofanything，toflinghimselfdownattherootofthenearesttree，andlietherepassive，forevermore。Theleavesmightbestrewhim，andthesoilgraduallyaccumulateandformalittlehillockoverhisframe，nomatterwhethertherewerelifeinitorno。Deathwastoodefiniteanobjecttobewishedfor，oravoided。
ToHester’seye，theReverendMr。Dimmesdaleexhibitednosymptomofpositiveandvivacioussuffering，exceptthat，aslittlePearlhadremarked，hekepthishandoverhisheart。
XVII。
THEPASTORANDHISPARISHIONER。
SLOWLYastheministerwalked，hehadalmostgoneby，beforeHesterPrynnecouldgathervoiceenoughtoattracthisobservation。Atlength，shesucceeded。
\"ArthurDimmesdale！\"shesaid，faintlyatfirst；thenlouder，buthoarsely：\"ArthurDimmesdale！\"
\"Whospeaks？\"answeredtheminister。
Gatheringhimselfquicklyup，hestoodmoreerect，likeamantakenbysurpriseinamoodtowhichhewasreluctanttohavewitnesses。Throwinghiseyesanxiouslyinthedirectionofthevoice，heindistinctlybeheldaformunderthetrees，cladingarmentsso，sombre，andsolittlerelievedfromthegreytwilightintowhichthecloudedskyandtheheavyfoliagehaddarkenedthenoontide，thatheknewnotwhetheritwereawomanorashadow。Itmaybe，thathispathwaythroughlifewashauntedthus，byaspectrethathadstolenoutfromamonghisthoughts。
Hemadeastepnigher，anddiscoveredthescarletletter。
\"Hester！HesterPrynne！\"saidhe。\"Isitthou？Artthouinlife？\"
\"Evenso！\"sheanswered。\"Insuchlifeashasbeenminethesesevenyearspast！Andthou，ArthurDimmesdale，dostthouyetlive？\"
Itwasnowonderthattheythusquestionedoneanother’sactualandbodilyexistence，andevendoubtedoftheirown。Sostrangelydidtheymeet，inthedimwood，thatitwaslikethefirstencounter，intheworldbeyondthegrave，oftwospiritswhohadbeenintimatelyconnectedintheirformerlife，butnowstoodcoldlyshuddering，inmutualdread；asnotyetfamiliarwiththeirstate，norwontedtothecompanionshipofdisembodiedbeings。Eachaghost，andawe—strickenattheotherghost！Theywereawe—strickenlikewiseatthemselves；becausethecrisisflungbacktothemtheirconsciousness，andrevealedtoeachheartitshistoryandexperience，aslifeneverdoes，exceptatsuchbreathlessepochs。Thesoulbehelditsfeaturesinthemirrorofthepassingmoment。Itwaswithfear，andtremulously，and，asitwere，byaslow，reluctantnecessity，thatArthurDimmesdaleputforthhishand，chillasdeath，andtouchedthechillhandofHesterPrynne。Thegrasp，coldasitwas，tookawaywhatwasdreariestintheinterview。Theynowfeltthemselves，atleast，inhabitantsofthesamesphere。
Withoutawordmorespoken—neitherhenorsheassumingtheguidance，butwithanunexpressedconsent—theyglidedbackintotheshadowofthewoods，whenceHesterhademerged，andsatdownontheheapofmosswheresheandPearlhadbeforebeensitting。Whentheyfoundvoicetospeak，itwas，atfirst，onlytoutterremarksandinquiriessuchasanytwoacquaintancesmighthavemade，aboutthegloomysky，thethreateningstorm，and，next，thehealthofeach。Thustheywentonward，notboldly，butstepbystep，intothethemesthatwerebroodingdeepestintheirhearts。Solongestrangedbyfateandcircumstances，theyneededsomethingslightandcasualtorunbefore，andthrowopenthedoorsofintercourse，sothattheirrealthoughtsmightbeledacrossthethreshold。
Afterawhile，theministerfixedhiseyesonHesterPrynne’s。
\"Hester，\"saidhe，\"hastthoufoundpeace？\"
Shesmileddrearily，lookingdownuponherbosom。
\"Hastthou？\"sheasked。
\"None！—nothingbutdespair！\"heanswered。\"WhatelsecouldIlookfor，beingwhatIam，andleadingsuchalifeasmine？WereIanatheist—amandevoidofconscience—awretchwithcoarseandbrutalinstincts—Imighthavefoundpeace，longerenow。Nay，Inevershouldhavelostit！But，asmattersstandwithmysoul，whateverofgoodcapacitythereoriginallywasinme，allofGod’sgiftsthatwerethechoicesthavebecometheministersofspiritualtorment。Hester，I
ammostmiserable。\"
\"Thepeoplereverencethee，\"saidHester。\"Andsurelythouworkestgoodamongthem！Doththisbringtheenocomfort？\"
\"Moremisery，Hester！—onlythemoremisery！\"answeredtheclergyman，withabittersmile。\"AsconcernsthegoodwhichImayappeartodo，Ihavenofaithinit。Itmustneedsbeadelusion。Whatcanaruinedsoul，likemine，effecttowardstheredemptionofothersouls？—orapollutedsoul，towardstheirpurification？Andasforthepeople’sreverence，wouldthatitwereturnedtoscornandhatred！
Canstthoudeemit，Hester，aconsolation，thatImuststandupinmypulpit，andmeetsomanyeyesturnedupwardtomyface，asifthelightofheavenwerebeamingfromit！—mustseemyflockhungryforthetruth，andlisteningtomywordsasifatongueofPentecostwerespeaking！—andthenlookinward，anddiscerntheblackrealityofwhattheyidolise？Ihavelaughed，inbitternessandagonyofheart，atthecontrastbetweenwhatIseemandwhatIam！AndSatanlaughsatit！\"
\"Youwrongyourselfinthis，\"saidHestergently。\"Youhavedeeplyandsorelyrepented。Yoursinisleftbehindyou，inthedayslongpast。Yourpresentlifeisnotlessholy，inverytruth，thanitseemsinpeople’seyes。Istherenorealityinthepenitencethussealedandwitnessedbygoodworks？Andwhereforeshoulditnotbringyoupeace？\"
\"No，Hester，no！\"repliedtheclergyman。\"Thereisnosubstanceinit！Itiscoldanddead，andcandonothingforme！Ofpenance，Ihavehadenough！Ofpenitence，therehasbeennone！Else，Ishouldlongagohavethrownoffthesegarmentsofmockholiness，andhaveshownmyselftomankindastheywillseemeatthejudgment—seat。Happyareyou，Hester，thatwearthescarletletteropenlyuponyourbosom！Mineburnsinsecret！Thoulittleknowestwhatareliefitis，afterthetormentofasevenyears’cheat，tolookintoaneyethatrecognisesmeforwhatIam！HadIonefriend—orwereitmyworstenemy！—towhom，whensickenedwiththepraisesofallothermen，Icoulddailybetakemyself，andbeknownasthevilestofallsinners，methinksmysoulmightkeepitselfalivethereby。Eventhusmuchoftruthwouldsaveme！But，now，itisallfalsehood！—allemptiness！—alldeath！\"
HesterPrynnelookedintohisface，buthesitatedtospeak。Yet，utteringhislong—restrainedemotionssovehementlyashedid，hiswordshereofferedhertheverypointofcircumstancesinwhichtointerposewhatshecametosay。Sheconqueredherfears，andspoke。
\"Suchafriendasthouhastevennowwishedfor，\"saidshe，\"withwhomtoweepoverthysin，thouhasinme，thepartnerofit！\"Againshehesitated，butbroughtoutthewordswithaneffort，\"Thouhastlonghadsuchanenemy，anddwellestwithhim，underthesameroof！\"
Theministerstartedtohisfeet，gaspingforbreath，andclutchingathisheart，asifhewouldhavetornitoutofhisbosom。
\"Ha！Whatsayestthou！\"criedhe。\"Anenemy！Andundermineownroof！Whatmeanyou？\"